Effect of steel corrosion and loss of concrete cover on strength of deteriorated RC columns

In this paper, the effect of reinforcement corrosion and loss of concrete cover on structural behavior of bridge columns is quantified by developing moment–axial load (M–P) interaction diagrams using modified analysis procedure and advanced deteriorated material models. The results of this study suggest that corrosion of steel bars on the compression side of column section reduces the effective depth, and causing more reduction than left side or tension side deterioration, in compression controlled region. However, in general, corrosion of tension reinforcement causes more strength reduction than corrosion of reinforcement in compression or left/right side reinforcement, particularly, in tension controlled region.

Research highlights
► Strength of deteriorated reinforced concrete columns was modelled.
► Deteriorated column’s moment-axial load interaction diagrams were developed.
► Strength of deteriorated concrete columns depends on location and amount of deterioration.
► Corrosion of tension bars is more critical than corrosion of compression bars.